Drugs and weapons seized in raids across Mexborough and Wath

Lee Peace

Police recovered a loaded crossbow and thousands of pounds worth of drugs during a series of raids.

Officers swooped on Tuesday morning and netted cannabis with a street value of nearly £20,000 and more than £25,000 in cash from properties in Wath and Mexborough.

They also seized counterfeit clothing and an array of weapons, including a crossbow, knives and air pistols. Five people have been arrested.

Helen Lewis, temporary detective inspector for Doncaster, said: “I’d like to thank the local community for their patience today while we executed the warrants, which did result in a number of road closures.

“Our efforts continue to tackle criminality in all its forms and the seizures of significant quantities of cash and drugs today will go a long way to making those communities safer places to live and work.”

The joint operation between South Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards saw seven warrants simultaneously executed in Wath and Mexborough, with support from specialist firearms teams, police dogs and special constables.

At a house in Mexborough, officers uncovered a cannabis factory with 47 plants, with an estimated street value of £19,000. They found a loaded crossbow at another in the town. Air pistols and knives were also recovered.

Two men, aged 24 and 25, and two women, aged 22 and 25, were questioned on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. A 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. They remained in police on Tuesday afternoon.